Cat righting reflex

Similar phenomenons have been observed in other small vertebrates such as rabbits,[3] rats,[4] lizards, and certain invertebrate tailed anthropods (e.g. stick insects).

[5] After determining down from up visually or with their vestibular apparatus (in the inner ear), cats manage to twist themselves to face downward without changing their net angular momentum.

[10] A 2003 study of feline high-rise syndrome found that cats "orient [their] limbs horizontally after achieving maximum velocity so that the impact is more evenly distributed throughout the body".

[12] The study's authors speculated that, after falling five storeys, the cats reached terminal velocity, at which point they relaxed and spread their bodies out to increase drag.

However, critics of the study have questioned the conclusion that mortality rates decrease as height increases due to survivorship bias; falls that resulted in instant death were not included as a deceased cat would not be brought to a vet.